FOUNDATION STONE
In Isaiah 28:16 God promises a stone that will be tried (tested) and precious, that will be a sure (trustworthy) foundation. We aren’t talking about a pebble here but a solid block of unyielding granite that has passed every stress test imaginable and has proved it’s worth, to be safe to build on.
Ephesians 2:20 – 22 makes it clear that this foundation stone, this ‘chief cornerstone’ is Jesus Himself. He passed every test, including the test of the cross, and has proved Himself precious and trustworthy, solid enough to build our lives, and the whole church on. This ‘chief cornerstone’ would be rejected (Psalm 118 : 22, Matt 21:42) by those who could not see it’s worth, but would stand nevertheless.
STUMBLING BLOCK
This stone would be more than a foundation stone, it would be a stone of offense – a stumbling block (1 Peter 2: 4-8). Now a stumbling block is just that – it’s large stone that trips you up as you blindly go down a path not looking at where you are putting your feet! It stops you in your tracks and maybe even makes you fall flat on your face. 1 Peter 2 makes it clear that it is those who blindly go off down the path of disobedience that will find themselves stumbling on the block that is Jesus. He will make them reconsider the path they are on and where they are headed.
To those who believe He is immeasurably precious. His love and His truth, tested in the fire of suffering, are the surest foundation we could ever need to centre our lives on.
His truth, the conviction of His Spirit and the Word, can at times, also be the stumbling block we need to stop us in our tracks and get us back on the right path. Precious Cornerstone.
Have you ever experienced Jesus as a stumbling block, stopping you from going down a path that would have harmed you?
It was cool and quiet inside the stone building, and sunlight shone through the high windows. He would pray and meditate a while, and refocus on the here and now and the life he had here, a life that contented him. He knelt and let his head fall, closing his eyes and breathing slowly and deeply. ‘I need Your peace, God, come close to me,’ he whispered in his soul. Aware of only the sound of his own breathing and the feel of the warm sunshine as it kissed his shoulder, Philip stayed bowed and let God’s peace flow over him. It was as if his soul breathed deeply, and found its way back to rest. Philip smiled to himself. It was so much easier these days, in this place, in this atmosphere, to recentre himself and let peace and joy quieten the tumult within. He thanked God for teaching him the simplicity of a devoted life, through the example and compassion of the true lovers of God that had become his teachers in this place. THE HEALING P 159
Joy Margetts is a published author and blogger. Her books are works of Christian Historical fiction. Set in medieval Wales against the backdrop of Cistercian abbey life, they tell stories of faith, hope and God’s redemptive power. Her debut novel ‘The Healing‘ was published by Instant Apostle on 19 March 2021. Joy has also self- published a short novella, ‘The Beloved‘ as both a companion to ‘The Healing‘, and as an easy to read standalone story, which is available to buy on Amazon Kindle.
‘The Pilgrim‘, her second full length novel, was published by Instant Apostle on 22 July 2022
More information on Joy, and her books can be found here www.joymargetts.com